Survey for Annual Conference members
Clergy and lay members of Annual Conference are asked take a brief survey about the 2009 Annual Conference. The next Conference will be reduced by one day. The survey results will be used by the Annual Conference Planning Committee to begin the process for planning and preparing the 2010 Conference agenda. Clergy, please complete the survey and make sure local church members of Annual Conference have the opportunity to complete the survey. Annual Conference Survey
Grant Writing Workshop to be offered in August
A grant writing workshop is being offered on three consecutive Mondays in August. Dr. Annette Greer is the instructor. She has extensive experience in writing grants and teaching the course at East Carolina University. The dates for the workshop are Aug. 3, Aug. 10 and Aug. 17, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Westminster UMC in Kinston. Each workshop will have a different emphasis. Attendance at all three is expected. A $30 fee will cover the cost of lunches. The workshop will be available over the Internet but registration is required to receive the video streaming access codes. To register, call the Office of Connectional Ministries, 1-800-849-4433, ext 247, or email Linda Harris.
Railhawks tickets at reduced price
The office of Hispanic/Latino Ministries is extending an invitation to clergy and laypersons across the conference to attend the Carolina RailHawks Faith & Family Night on July 26 at a reduce price. A limited number of tickets are available for half-price, $10 for adults. Tickets must be reserved by July 16 by sending an e-mail to Erwin Lopez at embrace@nccumc.org.
Camp Chestnut Ridge to celebrate 50t anniversary
Please take note of the historic 50th Anniversary for Chestnut Ridge Camp and Retreat Center. The celebration is set for Saturday, July 25, 3 – 6 p.m., with lots of fun activities, music, swimming, canoeing, and more. Bishop Gwinn will be present for the festivities. Share the information with your congregation and join the celebration. If you have questions, call Dail Ballard at 910-352-8081 or email dail@ncumcamps.org.
Board of Ordained Ministry to introduce new process
The North Carolina Conference Board of Ordained Ministry will present its new process (path to ordination) at several locations across the annual conference on Aug.13. Ned Hill, chairperson of the Board, and Tim Russell, director of Ministerial Relations, will lead the presentations. The presentations are not mandatory, are open to anyone and will be of particular interest to candidates for ordained ministry (including current provisional members), district committees on ordained ministry and people mentoring candidates for ministry. The presentation will be held at: 1) Harbor UMC in Wilmington (9:30-11:00 a.m.); Farmville UMC in the Greenville District (2-3:30 p.m.); and Benson Memorial UMC in Raleigh (7-8:30 p.m.) If there are questions, go to Ministerial Relations or contact Tim Russell in the Office of Ministerial Relations.
Clergy member needed for mission workteam
There is a critical and immediate need for an additional pastor to assist a Virginia Conference UMVIM team in the training of UMC pastors in the Nakuru District of Kenya in the East Africa Conference. A last minute and unavoidable team member cancellation has led to this vacancy. The focus of the training is basic theological, doctrinal, and pastoral education instruction for approximately 20 pastors. The need is immediate as the team leaves for the Aug. 13-28 mission. The cost of the trip is $3000 with most of the money due now to make travel and lodging reservations. For more information, call the Rev. Nancy Robinson, 804-264-7856 or 804-873-487.
Social Principles 2009 – 2012 Booklet available at Cokesbury
The Social Principles of The United Methodist Church are the product of 98 years of legislative decisions made by lay and clergy members of The United Methodist Church and its predecessor denominations. The 2009-2012 edition of The Social Principles is now available from Cokesbury. Studying the Social Principles provides opportunities for individuals to examine their own theology and ethics and to practice discipleship. Order on-line at: Cokesbury Social Principles
Lake Junaluska Peace Conference 2009
“People of Faith Building Partnerships for Peace” is the theme of the peace conference Sept. 20-22, at Lake Junaluska Conference & Retreat Center. Speakers will include representatives of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Workshops will focus on the practice of peace-making, especially for advocacy in local communities. Purpose of the conference is to foster deeper dialogue among persons of the three Abrahamic faiths to find better ways to advocate for peace, security and dignity of all people. For registration and more information, please see Junaluska Peace Conference.
Mission Team to Jamaica
The Rev. Butch Huffman, NC Conference individual mission volunteer, will lead a Conference mission work team to Content Gap, Jamaica, Nov. 3-12, to work on the roof which was blown off during a hurricane in 2007. The total cost of the trip is $1,000/person. An orientation for persons interested in participating will be provided on a date to be provided. Those interested in being on this team or wanting more information should contact Butch Huffman, 919-931-4304 or email: butchhuffman@bydasea.net.
Lay Members to Annual Conference receive a copy of the Advocate
There is a possibility that some Advocate subscribers received two issues of the July paper if they are also the lay member to Annual Conference from their local church. All lay members were mailed a copy of the wrap-up issue to assist them in reporting to the local churches about Annual Conference actions.
Missionary to Japan itinerating in NC Conference – replacing Terhunes
Debbie Umipig-Julian, UM missionary to Japan is itinerating throughout the NC area from July 25 to Aug. 9. Debbie has been engaged in the same ministry as the Terhunes, who have been so ably supported by many of our NC congregations. The Terhunes are retiring and request that the churches who have supported them in a Covenant Relationship will also support Ms. Umipig-Julian. Any church of any size may have her come to make a presentation. To book her at your church, please contact the Reverend Bill Haddock, Conference Secretary of Global Ministries, at 910.762.2583 or by email revbillh@nccumc.org.
Assist Help Golden Cross help layperson medical expenses
August 16 is the designated Sunday for an offering for Golden Cross. Golden Cross is a ministry that reaches out to laity in the Conference who are dealing with financial hardships brought on by medical expenses. If Aug. 16 is not an appropriate date for a congregation, another Sunday can be selected. Richard C. Vaughan, conference director of Golden Cross, is available to answer questions or to provide additional information (910-754-4840 or rvaughan@nccumc.org.
Mission presentations, story-telling, and sermons
The Office of Mission and Justice Ministries offers a wide range of mission presentations, teaching venues, and missional sermons highlighted and encouraging risk-taking ministry and radical hospitality. Please feel free to call on them for support in a congregation’s outreach and ministry efforts. Contact Steve Taylor – or Kathy Reavis or call 800-849-4433 ext 256.